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The Philadelphia Eagles are trading defensive end Michael Bennett to the New England Patriots for a 2020 fifth-round pick. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Bennett has been on the trading block for some time and today’s trade had nothing to do with comments he made on the NFL Network’s Good Morning Football. The trade will not officially process until March 13, the beginning of the new league year.
The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jeff McLane first reported the move on Twitter earlier today.
An #Eagles trade of DE Michael Bennett to the Patriots is going down as of this writing, NFL sources said. Draft picks still be ironed out.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 8, 2019
McLane also reported on some specifics of the trade that are still being ironed out.
#Eagles are likely to receive a 2020 5th round draft pick from the Patriots for Michael Bennett and a 2020 7th rounder, NFL sources said.
— Jeff McLane (@Jeff_McLane) March 8, 2019
Not long after the intended trade was reported, rumors began to surface of Michael’s brother Martellus wanting to come out of retirement to play with his brother in New England. ESPN’s Adam Schefter took to Twitter report on the tight end’s hopes.
Michael and Martellus Bennett always have wanted to play together. Now that the Patriots are trading for Michael, Martellus is interested in coming out of retirement to join his brother in New England, per a source. Then would be the McCourty and Bennett Bros. in New England.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 8, 2019
While on Good Morning Football earlier today, Bennett addressed speculations of him and the Eagles parting ways as part of the “business” and noted that the Eagles salary cap situation made it likely that he would be on a new team next year. Bennett went on to say that he would not be willing to take a pay cut but did warn teams looking to acquire his talents that he wants a pay raise. The Super Bowl Champion Patriots are adding a productive lineman, that may be looking for more money, to the defense.
Last season with the Eagles Michael Bennett was second to only Fletcher Cox in sacks with nine and hits on the quarterback with 30 and led the team in tackles for loss with 15. Michael’s brother Martellus retired in March of last year after being cut by the Patriots but if they want him back, the Bennett brothers could play together for the first time in the NFL.
